MINI Challenge Race Car in the US (Part #2)

Sections: JCW | Motorsports Jan 12th, 2008 21 Comments

Four months ago we brought you news that MINI USA was actively trying to assess the viability of bringing the MINI Challenge race car to the US. At the time we asked all those potentially interested in putting their money where their mouths were to contact MINI USA directly and encourage them to bring MINI Challenge car to the US. Apparently it worked.

Over the past week we’ve heard from a couple sources that the wheels are now in motion to debut the US version of the racer at the New York Auto Show.

Things are still a little foggy but it would seem that the race car will be available at around half of the MINI dealers nationwide and will retail for close to the current Euro/Dollar exchange rate – around $65,000. A dealer close to the situation went onto say that they’re not sure how many people will be interested in a $60k+ car that isn’t street legal but it’ll be cool to have it on the sales floor… if it happens.

Naturally we’ll have more info as we get it. And for those who might have missed all the technical details of the car (among other news), be sure to check out the links below.

Related:

[ MINI Challenge Race Car in the US ] MotoringFile

[ MINI JCW Challenge Car: Official Details ] MotoringFile

[ JCW Challenge Car Officially on Sale (Outside the US) ] MotoringFile

[ JCW Challenge Car in Testing ] MotoringFile

Written By: MF Staff

Jon

Fantastic!
MeanMrMstrd

That’s very kool, I hope it does happen. I use the pic of the MCRC on my iPhone as one of my wallpapers.

Sort of an uneasy moment happened out here on the west coast at the SCMM club tour of the VDC here in Oxnard,Ca.

One of the presenters showed us lotsa slides and tech stuff on the MINI CHALLENGE RACE CAR. Very kool. He then asked for a show of hands from people interested in buying one… NOT ONE HAND WENT UP! Not one! Well not that I saw… dead silence! I must say the fellow recovered quite well and ended the session on a up note.
MaxMCS

The problem is… it won’t be street legal. Not that I care, gimme one!

This is sweet. Seriously.
GregW

Now all you need is a series to race them in. Surely you could find 20 owners for a USA series. It works well in NZ and will be in Australia as well this year.
Victor

Without a competitive league this is dead in the water.
Jon

Have been reading that they are in discussions with SCCA and NASA. Several dealerships have already expressed their interest. I will keep my fingers crossed.
MiniMark

Does this development now mean that dealers will also have access to individual parts of the Challenge Car’s aerodynamics kit? Let’s hope so as I’ll definitely be getting my hands on that rear wing, hopefully the diffuser also but that looks like it’s part of an entirely different lower bumper(the red painted parts either side of the diffuser are not there on the regular JCW kit).
Siddhartha

Oh boy! I’m glad MINIUSA is running with the ball. After investing almost as much making my 2005 JCW MCS into a trailered only racecar (NASA TTD), I can tell you that $65K is a reasonable price for a factory supported racecar. I wish I had the money to buy one. Maybe if I do well again this year in TT, I can pick up some sponsors. ???

I’ve heard Scottsdale will probably be one of the dealers. I might make a trip down there just to chat . . .
Wolfgang

Can someone tell me what the wheel/tire specs (sizes not brands) are on the Challenge car?

Thanks.
Jon

Haven’t seen the actual tire size but the wheels are 17″ Borbet Alloy wheels 7.5×17

Know the request they are asking the dealers to stand up with are fairly intimidating the car, driver support, two mechanics, full selection of components. It pains me to say I doubt either of the dealers in my area would go after this. Have to say that even without a series development I am still considering this.
Dr Obnxs

I loved the thought when I first heard about the idea a year or two ago in the rumor mill at ~$40k. But $65k? I’d spend $10k more and get this….

“The Mustang FR500S race car Ford Racing is offering customers a new way to affordably race with the 2008 Mustang FR500S. This car will be the heart of the all-new Mustang spec series, the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup, which will make its debut on tracks around North America in 2008.

It will retail for $75,000 straight from the Ford Racing parts catalog.”

$65k is pretty steep for a Mini. And the support program and series will be smaller as well.

Matt
Jono

I like that the interior retains the cup holders…

Do you get a special MINI-branded latte holder that is spill proof?
Rocketboy_X

I just want the body kit and the graphics package. I like having cars that I can drive on the street.
GregW

Countries that run MINI Challenge series, i.e. Germany, UK, New Zealand, and this year Australia, pay as much as USA prices for cars. In fact, NZ being a small scale economy, has less people to spend such amounts of money on racing cars. A large number of the cars are being driven by teenagers starting their racing careers from Go-karts. Dads and sponsors are shelling out to start their sons’ racing careers. If you take a basic MINI Cooper S price, then add the “racing” extras plus labour and set-up costs, the car is reasonably priced. For example a Porsche GT3 Cup car will cost NZ$150,000 approx, yet they always get full fields, even though they only race against themselves in a one-make series. In Australia, the Ford and Holden V8 Racing saloons will cost upwards of $250,000 – no shortage of owners here either. So why is there a problem with the USA – surely no shortage of money. I cannot believe that in such a big country that you can’t find 20 buyers to run a racing series, even if 20 dealers sponsored one car each.
Jon

Matt have to say that I am not a fan of the FR500S, they are decent on the track but hideous designs at best. The tiny rear tires make me grin.

Going to arrange a meeting with my local dealer to start speaking about the Mini racer. Just really hoping to hear something out of the SCCA or NASA.
nick

Hi folks, look at:

http://www.mini.com/com/en/mini_jcw_challenge/index.jsp

There you can download an order form and purchase the Challenge race car.

I already ordered it, and look forward to be the first on the road, yeah :-)

Nick
nick

Dear admin,

could you please correct the following address due to a copy paste error (see my comment dated 11th April):

http://www.mini.com/com/en/mini_jcw_challenge/index.jsp

Sorry for taking up your time.

Thanks

Nick
nick

Dear Admin,

obviously there is no check of comments before brinning them online.

Somehow, the system absorbes the two underlines before and after jcw in the following link, so that the link will not work!

http://www.mini.com/com/en/mini_jcw_challenge/index.jsp

Sorry folks, to mass up the blog.
Pingback: BR Racing Blog » MINI R56 factory racecar?
Mark

I have a line on one that is in the United States that Im considering buying. Does anybody know of any others that mey be in the States? Anyboby interested in sponsoring two drivers for racing on the west coast?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=796370412 Olaf Keding

MINI has always been a racing machine!

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